Paul French, Director of Music
Composer, conductor and organist Paul French became music director of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in 2001 and has worked diligently to maintain our proud musical legacy, involving nearly 200 singers in the flourishing choral program. Paul has worked in parishes in the Archdiocese of Chicago for over four decades. He studied at St. John’s University (Collegeville, MN), Northwestern University, and the Pontificio Istituto di Musica Sacra in Rome, Italy, and for 13 seasons was the music director of the William Ferris Chorale, a professional choral ensemble dedicated to the performance of contemporary a capella repertoire. In addition, Paul is the President of the Board of Directors of the American Federation Pueri Cantores.
In 2024, Paul was awarded the National Association of Pastoral Musicians prestigious Musician of the Year award during their annual convention in Kansas City, Missouri. The award is given to a pastoral musician who exemplifies the best of NPM, one who has given substantial witness or promotion to the role of pastoral music in parish, diocesan or institutional life. Read more HERE.
Kelly Dobbs-Mickus, Organist
Having joined the music staff in 2010, Kelly Dobbs-Mickus plays our E. M. Skinner and Visser-Rowland organs at weekend liturgies and accompanies the Morning Choir throughout the choral season. In addition to her superb keyboard artistry, Kelly is employed as a music editor with MorningStar Publishers. Ms. Mickus’ organ studies have been at both Indiana University and DePaul University, and she brings with her nearly forty years experience playing for parishes in the Chicago and Joliet dioceses.
